Janahuu –
{(if they) incline)}, this word has been derived from janhun, which means “to incline, to turn, to lean, to bow”. From
the same origin, ‘ijnah is a word of
command, which has been used next to it in the same verse (fajnah) i.e. you should incline.

Salmi –
(the peace), from this origin; many other words have come out as “Muslim,
Islam, Salaamat, Salaam, Tasliim” etc. All these kinds of words
are used for “peace, truce, union, safety, obedience and abide by the law”. Here
it aims “peace, and refraining from fighting”.

It was commanded in the previous
verse that you should keep yourselves busy with preparation for fighting,
because the people are zealous for opposing you and the reason of their enmity
is their selfishness only, due to which; all mischief people have been committing
in the world.

Until the people do not accept this
fact that every individual is independent about his fundamental article of
religion, on the condition; that the faith is not the foundation of disturbance,
persecution and mischief, by then, freedom lovers should keep themselves ready
for fighting.

This indicates that aim of war in
Islam is neither blood-shed and nor conquest, but to seize the enemies of peace
and safety, so that safety and peace is established in the world, and every
individual may be busy in search of the Right independently, and after finding
the Truth, nothing may prevent him from choosing it. Therefore, it was found
necessary that peace-lovers must be ready completely with war equipment, so
that the mischievous people are kept under control.

It is the reason that God Almighty
commands in this verse: If the mischievous people declare their thought of
peace and incline to it that they will not prevent anyone with force from
adopting the Just, and will not spread strife and contention, then you should
incline also to peace, because when your goal can be achieved without
bloodshed, then there is no need of bloodshed unnecessarily by you and nor God
Almighty enjoined to do so.

For understanding the reality of
Islamic Jihad, its purposes and strategic situation, one should focus on these
verses. It seems clear that if the people incline to abide by the principles of
living together, and no one tries to fill own thoughts in others with force,
but is ready to help the seeker of the Truth in every matter, then there is no
need of any war or quarrel.

There was at the lowest bloodshed in
those battles; which were fought in the beginning of Islam, contrary to all other
worldly wars. It is against the teachings of Islam to compel anyone that if he
will not accept Islam, will be killed. However, the mischievous and those
people, who were opponents of the freedom of humankind; were overpowered
strongly and severely, and when they were seized, then they were ignored.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman
Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by PakCompany, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore,
Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published
By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to
English by Muhammad Sharif)